The UK government "no deal" paper on geographical indications confirms some intentions stated in the Chequers White Paper, and continues an intriguing additional detail.
Confirms: protection for UK geographical indications will automatically continue, but owners of EU GIs protected in the UK will have to re-apply for protection.
What wasn't in the Chequers paper is "broadly mirror the current EU regime"
(Geographical indications or GIs = names defining BOTH the origin AND the quality/ characteristics/reputation of products. When protected, the products can be made elsewhere, but use of the name is restricted)
One view is that the UK wants to turn away from the EU’s system for protecting geographical indications in order to make it easier to negotiate trade deals with the US, Australia, New Zealand and others who dislike the EU’s approach
Is the WTO run by unelected people? (Is the United Nations?)
No and yes. The WTO is run by its member governments. The top decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference: trade or foreign ministers from 164 members. Many if not most are elected.
All WTO members are governed by WTO rules even if they have free trade deals (FTAs).
1 The FTAs themselves come under WTO rules.
2 Countries may agree to deviate from SOME rules in their FTAs, but FTAs don't cover everything.
2/5
The schedules cover more than tariffs and quotas.
They also include limits on agricultural subsidies, commitments to open services markets, and for some countries (including the EU and UK) opening government procurement markets (such as naval supply ships)
Recent articles claim no UK-EU deal in March & trading on WTO terms won't be a problem. The focus has been on non-tariff barriers. The analysis has been criticised heavily.
The articles have also dismissed tariffs because EU average tariffs are low.